Trending Now

You are here

Alleged child pornographer gets high bond

A Benton judge set a $200,000 sheriff's bond for a former Benton firefighter arrested on Friday for allegedly having child pornography on his home computer, according to staff at the Saline County jail.
Timothy Ryan Bodkin, 38, appeared via satellite in Benton District Court on Monday facing 1,000 counts of felony possession of child pornography. He reportedly is scheduled to appear back in Benton District Court on Aug. 7, at which time where he could enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Sheriff's Lt. Mike Frost told The Saline Courier on Monday that the sheriff's office on June 19 received information from the Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force — comprised of investigators with the Saline County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas State Police, Pine Bluff Police and Homeland Security — that a person in Benton was downloading child pornography. He said that during the investigation, search warrants were obtained for the seizure of a computer that allegedly was owned by Bodkin.
Frost said the ICAC discovered allegedly numerous images of child pornography on Bodkin's computer. During the serving of the warrant, Bodkin reportedly was in Eureka Springs, but was contacted by members of the ICAC Task Force in Northwest Arkansas. Bodkin reportedly was taken into custody at 7 p.m. Friday upon his arrival at a bus station in North Little Rock.
Frost told the Courier that the investigation is continuing, but there is no indication at this point that any of the images involve local children.
The Benton Fire Department also released a statement early Monday, noting that Bodkin officially resigned from the department shortly after his arrest.
Fire Marshal Bruce Armstrong also said Bodkin's activities are not associated with the Benton Fire Department.
"We are deeply saddened by these events and ask for your prayers and support," the press release stated.
To report pertinent information about the case, individuals may call the Saline County Sheriff's Office at 501-303-5608.